The Screw

Kent walked up to the counter to grab a cup of coffee. I shagged a table in the corner. We had come to the Starbucks across the street from our subdivision to do some visioning work for the new church start we’re involved in. Pulling out Kent’s laptop I noticed that a screw in the bottom was loose. I flipped it upside down and waited for Kent to come back with his cup of coffee.

I asked him for his small Swiss army knife so I could tighten the screw. He was visibly annoyed but handed it over. After the repair he let his frustration out. “Why didn’t you ask me if I wanted that fixed?” he demanded. I had assumed that because a screw is loose on your laptop and that it doesn’t sit flat anyone would want their laptop repaired. Kent thought differently however. The screw was always coming loose, he explained, and besides, he didn’t mind that his laptop didn’t sit flat.

There is a fundamental difference in how Kent and I operate here. I tend to see what I perceive to be a need and address it. Kent tends to sit back and wait from someone to tell him what they want done. If they don’t ask he doesn’t just do something. I tend to move often without being summoned.

As we’ve traveled we’ve faced this situation again and again. We often perceive needs in ministries but haven’t been asked to address these area. What should we do? At times we’ve spoken up and raised concerns or questions that we believe are being overlooked. In other situations the change that we believe is needed is not going to be to be realized until much larger changes take place.

In each location however, change is needed. Whether verbalized or perceived we all need to be in a constant process of seeking where God is calling us next. Churches that are dying I believe have ceased to ask this question. Churches that are growing need to remember that we must always be asking it. I hope that I like the church always remain open to change. Sometimes that may require that I ask others to help me envision the future – in other moments I may need to step out in faith and push someone.

God’s peace, Eric